Easter revision

This post should be used for Biology revision before the progress test after Easter (i.e., you should do some revision over the break!).  Remember, that progress test will be on what we've covered since Christmas (adaptation, competition, biomass, variation, g.m.o.'s, evolution).

• Use this link to find online progress tests. Try and complete the foundation AND higher ones as the questions in the real papers often overlap and will give you a better idea of what to expect. -
  http://www.sciencelab.org.uk/science-online-progress-tests.php
• There are also past papers with mark schemes on this link which will be useful for the progress tests AND revision for summer - http://www.sciencelab.org.uk/support/question-papers-mark-schemes.php Click on Science A and then select Biology (or whatever else you want to revise).

Genetic engineering

Today we're going to complete the second last section of the Biology course.  Answer the following questions in your books -

1. Describe briefly how plants AND animals can be cloned - http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/science/aqa/geneticvariation/reproductionrev3.shtml
2. Why might people want to clone farm animals (make sure you mention the point about farm animals)?  - http://learn.genetics.utah.edu/content/tech/cloning/whyclone/
3. What are plasmids and what kind of living things have them? - http://www.answers.com/topic/plasmid
4. Look at the diagram below.  How are plasmids different from normal DNA in Bacteria? 

                   
5.  How can plasmids be used to make medicine from Bacteria?-http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/science/aqa/geneticvariation/reproductionrev5.shtml

6. Watch the following video.  What are the advantages and disadvantages or genetic engineering like this? Come up with at least one of each and write them down.

7. What other genetically modified organisms exist? - Name and explain two others from this site - http://www.smashinglists.com/10-mutant-and-genetically-modified-organisms/

8. What is golden rice? What problem could it solve? - http://www.goldenrice.org/Content3-Why/why3_FAQ.html

HOMEWORK
Watch this longer video at home, and bring in a summary of one benefit or golden rice and one issue some groups ahve with it.

Finally, try any of these activities - http://nature.ca/genome/04/041/041_e.cfm

Section 2 revision

For the Section 2 paper (Wednesday for 10x2, Friday for 10y4) use the following websites to help you -

• http://www.sciencelab.org.uk/gcses/sciencea-unit-4.php - This page shows what you have to know for the paper, explaining skills that you will need to display.  There aren't any questions but it's worth a read so you know. For section 2, look at SA 4.5.

• http://www.sciencelab.org.uk/support/question-papers-mark-schemes.php -

This is a very important link! If you click on Science A and then scroll down to the bottom where it says 'Controlled Assessment tasks Unit 1' there are three past papers for complete ISAs. 
Read through the information at the top of the document so you know what each paper was about, but then look at the section 2 paper for each one.  The questions are all very similar and will be very similar for the papers we will have. Try answering them on paper to get a feel for what is required, and use the mark schemes at the end of each document to help you mark your own work. This is definitely the best way to prepare yourself for the Section 2 paper we will sit.

Please let me know if there is anything you're unsure about, I'm always happy to see anyone at lunchtime or between lessons if there is anything you need to know or ask.

ISA information

10y4 - Your ISA is on solar cells, you've done your prac and will be doing the graph next lesson. Graphs get marked out of four and need to have all the following things done correctly to get full marks -

1. x axis scaled and labelled correctly
2. y axis scaled and labelled correctly
3. Data points plotted accurately
4. Suitable line of best fit drawn

You will need to think about your values for your tests, and use scales that show this information clearly.  'Labelled correctly' means including units!!!!!

10x2, you will be sitting the section 2 emulsions paper (although some people still need to draw a graph, so if you weren't in class on Friday you'll do that first).  For this paper, you will need to do the following tasks as outlined in the information from the AQA -

• analyse your on results
• draw a conclusion
• Compare your results to the original hypothesis you were given
• Evaluate the method of collection and the quality of the resulting data
• Analyse other data that will be given to you (i.e. a sheet with results from a similar investigation)
• Relate your findings to the context of the ISA (from your research sheet).

You will have your research sheet and graphs with you for the section 2 paper, and will be given data sheets for the similar experiment.  Make sure you can remember -

1. What the independent and dependent variables were
2. What variables you kept the same (control variables)
3. Any factors that could have affected your results 
4. How this experiment would be used (by food industry companies) to check that their products are ok to sell.  

Finally, defining the following terms will help you get ready for the test - independent, dependent, range, interval, control, reliable, anomaly.

Both classes, remember to come and see me if you have any questions before the next sections. Good luck!